Basketball: Nikola Jokic goes viral with unusual full-court shot attempt

Nikola Jokic is a basketball player who never ceases to impress.

A three-time NBA MVP at 29 years old, the Serbian seems already on track for another statistical season spectacular for 2024/25, currently sitting on an average of 30.3 points, 13.9 rebounds and 11.3 assists.

Saturday night's victory against the Los Angeles Lakers by Jokic's Denver Nuggets, was in many, a continuation of the norm as the two-time Olympic medalist wrapped up the 127*-*102 win, with 34 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists to his name.

But Jokic also did something quietly exceptional.

With just 0.3 seconds left in the third quarter, Jokic signalled to Peyton Watson to inbound a throw in his direction, which he then tipped with one hand across the full length of the court.

Much to the amazement of the LA crowd, and those watching along at home, the ball just went awry of the hoop.

But it wasn't just the athletic component of the ball travelling over 80 feet (24.4m) using his fingertips that has wowed pundits.

The 'Trent Tucker' rule, adopted by the NBA in 1990 to account for human error in scorekeeping, states that end-of-quarter jump shots are only counted if there is 0.4 or more seconds remaining on the clock. If an offense inbounds the ball for a shot with 0.3 or fewer seconds left, players can only tip in or lob.

Jokic's water-polo-esque sweep of the ball, therefore, points to the Serbian's deep sense of the league's rules and regulations, as well as a desire to push their boundaries.

Well known for his innate sense of basketball geometry and how to use it in his favour, Jokic's wildly creative miss suggests the star is playing hoops on a whole different level to the rest of the field.